Source: Northern_Echo
Bramble released on bail after arrest over rape allegation
SUNDERLAND footballer Titus Bramble and his brother Tesfaye have been released on bail pending further inquiries over a rape allegation.[LNB] Northumbria Police confirmed today that the 29-year-old former England under-21 international and his 30-year-old brother were released following questioning yesterday after their arrest on suspicion of rape.[LNB] They were detained after a complaint of rape was received from a woman aged 19 or 20 that she had been raped at the Vermont Hotel, in Newcastle city centre in the early hours yesterday.[LNB] Mr Bramble, and his brother, an international player for the Caribbean island of Montserrat, who plays club football for Eastern Counties League Premier Division, Leiston, in Suffolk, are understood to have been on a night out in Newcastle after watching Sunderland's Carling Cup tie with West Ham at the Stadium of Light, on Tuesday night.[LNB] Mr Bramble, a former Ipswich and Newcastle player, who re-joined ex-manager Steve Bruce at Sunderland, after a £1m summer transfer from Wigan Athletic, did not feature in the Black Cats' line-up against West Ham.[LNB] It was the first competitive first team match he has missed since joining Sunderland in late July.[LNB] A Northumbria force spokesman confirmed the two men arrested on suspicion of rape had been released on bail, "pending further inquiries".[LNB] They are due to answer their bail in December.[LNB] Sunderland club chairman Niall Quinn last night issued a statement supporting their player.[LNB] "This has been a very difficult day for everyone at the football club, no-one more so than Titus, who categorically refutes the allegations.[LNB] "He strenuously denies any wrong-doing and will be doing everything within his power to clear his name.[LNB] "I, as chairman, and the club as a whole, totally support Titus in his efforts."[LNB] It is not yet known if the centre-back will feature in manager Bruce's squad for Sunderland's next Premier League fixture, at Liverpool, on Saturday.[LNB]
